Graduate

Graduate Training

Dr. Meca open to working with any students with interests in the broad area of identity development, but special consideration is given to students interested in how aspects of ethnicity and culture intersect psychopathology and risk-taking behavior.

Dr. Meca is currently accepting graduate students in three programs offered through the Department of Psychology at Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, Virginia:

  • Health Psychology (Ph.D.): The program provides advanced training in psychological science and its application as it relates to health and health disparities. It promotes the development and application of knowledge to improve systems, communication, decision making, community settings, and living environments. For more information on the program, click here.
  • Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.): The program provides balanced training in science and practice. Graduates are ethical clinical psychologists who are competent in individual and cultural diversity; capable of evaluating and conducting empirical research; and able to assume leadership positions in health service or academic settings. For more information on the program, click here.
  • Masters of Science in Psychology (MS): Appropriate for students wishing to develop research skills and knowledge of general psychology appropriate for pursuing study in a doctoral program in psychology or for those seeking the master’s as a terminal degree. The curriculum is designed to provide a strong background in research methods and general psychology so that the student will have a wide range of choices for future professional development. For more information on the program, click here.

Dr. Meca’s Mentorship Model

In his role as a mentor, Dr. Meca’s views his primary task as one of encouraging his mentees/padawans to develop the necessary skills and track-record for succeeding in their occupational goals. On his end, this involves actively working with his padawans to identify career goals and aspirations, maximize individual strengths, and help develop the necessary skills to succeed in your career.

Towards this end, Dr. Meca’s approach towards mentorship focuses on exposing his padawans to all aspects of training (i.e., research, teaching, service/advocacy, and clinical work, if appropriate) early on to explore a wide range of career paths. In Dr. Meca’s view, exposure to all aspects of training will not only make his padawan’s more well-rounded but will serve to expose his students to different career opportunities that may either resonate more with his padawans or solidify/reaffirm existing career goals.

Although the training program at ODU are designed to prepare students for an academic career, Dr. Meca is very well aware that not students will go that route. As your mentor, Dr. Meca is interested in supporting his students in whatever career path they choose, whether it is academic or not.

For more information on Dr. Meca’s mentorship model, please review his Graduate Student Advising and Mentoring Statement.